A KIND-HEARTED 12-year-old who was taken to hospital following a meningitis scare has donated stacks of new toys to a children’s ward.

A KIND-HEARTED 12-year-old who was taken to hospital following a meningitis scare has donated stacks of new toys to a children’s ward.

Pontypridd High School pupil Lucy Thomas handed over Nintendo DS consoles, a television and Lego sets to the paediatric ward at the Royal Glamorgan Hospital to brighten their Christmas.

Lucy’s family feared the worst in October 2011 when the youngster lost feeling on one side of her body and suffered blinding headaches.

Many of the symptoms showed possible signs of meningitis, which has the potential to kill in hours.

But, after a two-day stay at the Royal Glamorgan in Llantrisant, Lucy was diagnosed with severe migraines and given the all-clear to head home.

To thank the staff, and give the children some much-needed entertainment, Lucy spent much of last year raising cash to buy toys for the ward.

Her dad, Robert Thomas, said: “I’m immensely proud of her – she is a very special child who is always looking to raise money. She’s only 12 and I’m amazed she had the inclination to do it. It’s fantastic.”

Lucy organised a two-mile sponsored walk around Pontypridd’s Ynysangharad Park, co-ordinated car boots sales and sold cakes to her neighbours to raise cash for the cause.

She managed to collect £560 which she then spent on as many toys as possible.

Lucy then wrote to the staff at wards 17 and 18 to ask them if she could carry out the kind gesture.

Staff said they were very grateful for the thought and gave the idea the go-ahead.

Lucy and her mum went to the three-bed wards on December 23 to hand over the presents – and Christmas hats – in time for Christmas.

“The care they provided Lucy was outstanding, but Lucy felt there weren’t enough things to play with at the ward.

“She bought a TV for the waiting area and several games for their Wii console.

“Naturally, as parents we feared the worst on the first night she was admitted to hospital.

“But we were so relieved when she was diagnosed with migraines. We never realised how much migraines can affect people.”